Sectional partition construction



July l0, 1934. E. KQENIG ET AL 1,965,599

SECTIONAL PARTITION CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 8, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 1 ,zz W

` ATTORNEYS July 10, 1934- E. E. KOENIG ET Al. 1,965,599

SECTIONAL PARTITION CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1932 sA s. 5 M mi www fm im MW i6 July 10, 1934. E, E. Kol-:MG ET AL SECTIONAL PARTITION CONSTRUCTION l III III I m il II I|II r Patented July 10, 1934 iJNirED STATES PATENTE OFFICE SECTION AL PARTITION' CONSTRUCTION Application February 8, 1932, Serial No.. 591,674

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a sectional partition construction particularly useful in dividing building interiors into separate offices and rooms.

In partition construction heretofore made and c particularly the sectional type, it has been dinic t to obtain the requisite strength in the partition to resist lateral impacts. The vertical uprights in partitions heretofore made have been secured to the iioor and to the horizontally exlo tending cornice member only, the wall structure above the cornice generallycomprising a iller which possesses little strength to resist lateral impacts and shocks. The cornice member has, therefore, been depended upon to give the partition its rigidity and strength to resist lateral impact. Even though the cornice member is heavily reinforced and made of heavy gauge metal it is not rigid and it does not have a large lateral thrust resisting capacity on long parti.- tion runs,

The partition disclosed in this application is designed to receive its rigidity and strength to resist lateral impact from both the posts spaced between .the sectional Units and the cornice g5 member. in accordance with this invention, a channel shaped post is provided which extends from the floor to the ceiling and is firmly secured vat both points. A continuous vcornice member is lconnected to the posts at any desired height and J forms together with the posts a rigid, lateral thrust resisting framework. The sectional units are positioned between the posts and may be easily and quickly connected thereto, permitting yquick assembly and disassembly of the .partition 1 without noise or injury to the partition itself. The partition can be installed in industrial and commercial plants and establishments, having rooms with very high ceilings and the partition "is, nevertheless, amply rigid and strong to resist Q all lateral thrusts which may occur. The partition is economical to manufacture and can be easily and quickly installed by unskilled labor and may be made in a variety of attractive designs and patterns. 45 Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a face View of a section of my partition as it appears installed in alroom;

(Cl. 18S-34) Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the reinforcing post and the uprights of adjacent sec.- tional units which abut the reinforcing post;

Fig. 2a, is a perspectve view of the reinforcing post showing another side thereof; 6@

Fig. 2b is a perspective view of a clip which may be used to secure adjacent sectional uprights to the reinforcing post;

Fig. 2c a perspective view of a clip member which may be used to secure one sectional upright to the reinforcing post;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged face view of the upper portion of the finished partition post;

Y Fig. 4 is an enlarged Vertical cross sectional View through the upper portion of the partition post, this View being taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the partition post taken above .the cornice on line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross sectional view through the partition post taken above the cor- 75 nice online 6 6 of Fig. 1;

' Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional View through the upper portion of the partition, taken on line 7 7 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is .an enlarged horizontal cross sectional 80 view through the partition post looking down on the cornice member, this View being taken on line 8 8 of Fig. r1;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal cross sectional view through the partition post .at the cornice, this S5 view being taken on line 9 9 of Fig..4;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional view through the partition post, taken on line 10 10 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is' an enlarged vertical cross sectional 90 view showing particularly the construction of the lower partition of the sectional unit, this view being taken on line 11 11.of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional view through the partition, taken on line 12 12 95 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts through the several views of the drawings.

The partition forming the subject matter of this application comprises generally a channel 100 shaped reinforcing post which is secured to the floor at its lower end and to the ceiling at its upper end. These reinforcing posts are spaced apart a distance equal to the width of a sectional unit. The sectional units are inserted between 105 the reinforcing posts and may be secured thereto by clamps or other suitable means.

The reinforcing post shown in Figs. 2 and 2a comprises a channel member of heavy gauge metal having a web portion 20 and afnge portions 110 si" c.

21. Angle shaped braces 22 may be used to secure the lower end of the reinforcing post to the floor. A channel shaped clip 23 secured to the ceiling extends into and is secured to the reinforcing post. The reinforcing post is thus firmly and immovably secured to the floor and ceiling of the room. The flanges 21 of the post may be reinforced by one or more channel segments 24 which snugly telescope into the post, and secured to the flanges 21, as shown in Fig. 2a. 'Ihe reinforcing post is thus made unusually rigid and strong and if made of proper gauge metal may be run to unusual heights without bending or quivering when lateral thrusts are applied thereto.

In partitions of great height the sectional units may be divided into two parts, the sectional units 25 which extend below the cornice 26 and sectional units 27 which extend from the cornice to the ceiling. All sectional units may be made at the factory and assembled to the reinforcing post and the cornice in the field to form the completed partition. The lower sectional unit comprises generally channel shaped uprights 28 and 29 each having a panel receiving groove 30 in which the side edges of the. lower panel 31 and upper panel 32 seat. The uprights 28 and 29 are connected together at the bottom by means of a channel shaped base board 33 having downwardly extending flanges 34. A panel groove 35 f' f is provided in the web portion thereof to retain the lower edge of the panel 31 in position. A chair rail 36 extends between and is secured to the uprights 28 and 29 and is also provided with a groove at its lower edge in which the upper edge of the panel 31 seats.

The side edges of the panel 32 likewise seat in the groove 30 provided in the uprights 28 and 29 and the lower edge of panel 32 seats within the groove provided in the upper edge of the chair rail 36. The uprights 28 and 29 may be connected at their upper ends by a channel shaped framing member 37, shown in Fig. 7, which is also provided with a groove 38 to receive the upper edge of the panel 32. All the lower sectional units may be constructed substantially as above described. It is evident that the panels 31 and 32 may be made of various materials, such as glass, wood, fibre or metal, and may be solid, laminated or hollow, as desired. The sections may also be made in any desired width or height.

The cornice unit 26 extends the full length of the partition and seats on the top edge of the lower sectional units 25, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 7. The cornice unit comprises an outer channel shaped trim member 39 and an inner channel shaped reinforcing member 40 which closely fits within the trim member 39. The trim member 39 has the flanges thereof extending upwardly and may be provided with inturned edge portions 41 to give additional strength thereto. The web portion of the channel shaped trim member is provided with a recess 42 within which the upper edge of the framing member 37 seats. The inner reinforcing member has the flanges thereof extending downwardly and these flanges closely seat against the inside face of the trim member, as shown in Fig. 7. Channel shaped strips 43, extending the length of the partition, may be secured to the inturned edge portions 41 of the trim member and the web portion 44 of the reinforcing member to further brace the cornice member and make it more resistant to lateral thrusts. The trim member 39 and reinforcing member 40 may be cut at the factory into convenient lengths and then assembled together in the field, preferably with the joints between the abutting ends of the reinforcing members 40 staggered with respect to the joints which occur between the abutting ends of the trim members 39.

To permit the reinforcing posts to extend through the cornice, a suitable opening may be cut through the web portion 45 of the trim member andthe web portion 44 of the reinforcing member, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. In erecting the partition, the reinforcing member and the trim member of the cornice unit may be assembled together in theiield, the openings for the reinforcing post having already been cut` therethrough. Each reinforcing post may then be inserted through its proper opening in the cornice unit before the post is erected. The post may then be erected and secured to the iioor F and to the ceiling C of the building.

To secure the cornice unit to the reinforcing posts an angle shaped bracket 46 may be secured to the inside face of the web portion 45 of the trim member. A screw bolt 47 which extends through the bracket 46 and into a threaded aperture 48 provided in the flange 21 of the reinforcing post secures the cornice unit to the post. A similar bracket 49 may be secured to the web portion 44 of the reinforcing channel 40 and similarly secured by means of a screw bolt 50 extending into the threaded aperture 48a to the reinforcing post. The cornice unit is thus firmly secured to each of the reinforcing posts in a firm and strong manner.

The upper sectional unit 27, disposed between the cornice unit 26 and the ceiling, comprises "i" channel shaped uprights 51 and 52 each having a panel receiving groove 53 adapted to retain the side edges of the lower and upper panels 54 and 55 respectively. The uprights 51 and 52 rest upon the web portion 44 of the reinforcing chan- 1* nel 46 of the cornice unit and extend up to the ceiling. A framing member 56, which may be metal or wood, is connected to the lower ends of the uprights 51 and 52 and seats within a recess 57 provided in the web portion 44 of the reinforcing member 40. The framing member 56 may be provided with a groove 58 to receive the lower edge of the panel 54.

The upper ends of the uprights 51 and 52 may be secured to a framing member 59 which is also provided with a panel receiving groove 60 which retains the upper edge of the panel 55 in place. A horizontal framing member or transom bar 61 may be connected at the ends thereof to the uprights 51 and 52 and may also be provided with suitable grooves to retain the upper edge of panel 54 and the lower edge of panel 55 respectively.

In erecting the partition a chalk line is drawn on the floor to indicate the center line of the l partition run. Channel shaped mop strips 62 are positioned along the chalk line. The length of each mop strip 62 is substantially equal to the width of the respective sectional units. The reinforcing posts are inserted through the openings provided in the trim member 39 and the reinforcing member 40 comprising the cornice unit as heretofore described. The reinforcing posts are then erected and secured to the floor and to the ceiling. The lower sectional units 25 are inj,

serted by telescoping the base member 34 thereof into the mop strips 62 and then swinging them into position between the reinforcing posts. The trim member 39 of the Acornice unit 26 is then lowered into position so that the framemmember 37 of the lower sectional units extend into the recess 42 provided in the cornice unit. The trim member may then be secured to the reinforcing posts by inserting the screws 47 and then the reinforcing member is secured to the post by the screws 50. The upper sectional units 27 are next inserted into place by telescoping the lower framing members 56 thereof into the recess 37 provided in the web portion of the reinforcing member 40 of the cornice unit. The upper sectional unit is then swung into position between the reinforcing posts.

The lower and upper sectional units are held in position between the reinforcing posts by clip elements 63 which are secured at spaced intervals by screws 64 to the web portion 20 and to the channel elements 24 of the reinforcing posts. The clips 63 preferably project over the edges of the reinforcing post and thus in effect provide abutment portions 65 which retain the lower sectional units 25 and upper sectional units 27 in position, as shown in Fig. 2. A pilaster cap 66 having inturned iianges 67 snap into place behind rebent portion 68 provided on the clips 63 and are thus held securely in place. A plinth block 69 having a top wall portion 70V cut to conform to the contour of the pilaster cap 66 and also having side wall portions 7l cut to conform to the contour of the base members 33 and the mop strips 62 cover the lower end of the pilaster cap 66 and may be secured thereto by machine screws 72.

To give the upper end of the partition post a more nished appearance, channel shaped segments 73 and 74 may be provided which telescope over the ends of the uprights 51 and 52 respectively. The segments 73 and 74 are identically the same shape as the uprights 51 and 52 and may be secured thereto by screws or other o suitable manner. The segments 73 and 74 other- Wise form in effect an integral part of the uprights 51 and 52 and may be provided with panel receiving grooves 75.

Wires and conduits may be threaded through the cornice unit the full length thereof and into and through the lower uprights 28 and 29 and the upper uprights 51 and 52, as Well as through the base member 33. The chair rail 36 and the transom bar 61 are preferably hollow, so as to permit threading of conduits through these members and into the uprights of each sectional unit.

To secure the lower sectional unit 25 and the upper sectional unit 27 more positively to the reinforcing post, we may provide openings 76 which extend through the side flanges 21 of the reinforcing post. If a sectional unit is disposed on each side of the reinforcing post, we may provide a clamp member such as shown in Fig. 2b for securing adjacent uprights to the reinforcing post. The clamp member shown in Fig. 2b comprises two U-shaped straps of metal 77 having outwardly extending lips 78. The U-shaped straps 77 are connected together by means of a stud member 79 having its ends 80 threaded to y engage the nuts 81 welded to the strap member 77. A turning knuckle S2 is provided on the stud member with which to manipulate the same by means of a wrench or otherwise. II'he U- shaped straps 77 are inserted through the openings 76 cut in the iiange portions of the reinforcing post and are then turned so that the outwardly extending lips 78 seat against the inturned edges 83 of the uprights. Access to the interior of the reinforcing post is easily had i through the open side of the post channel, which open side is only closed along short lengths thereof by the bracingchannels 24.

A single upright may be secured to the reinforcing post by means of the clamp as shown in Fig. 2c. This clamp comprises a plate 84 which seats against the inturned edges 83 of the uprights and a second plate 85 which seats against the inside face of the flanges 2l of the reinforcing post. A bolt S6 extends through the plates 84 and 85 and is provided with a winged nut 87 which can be manipulated from the inside of the reinforcing post to clamp the uprights to the post. The openings 76 are preferably positioned opposite the base member, chair rail, transom bar and other horizontal framing units of the partition to permit conduits to be strung through the reinforcing post and into these horizontal members.

It is now seen that we have provided a sectional partition construction which is very rigid and has great strength to resist lateral thrusts, even though the partition is positioned in rooms with unusually high ceilings and runs great lengths. This strength is derived both from the concealed reinforcing posts within the partition and from the strong cornice unit construction. The reinforcing post may be of such size that its presence is not apparent. The partitionV can be quickly and easily erected in the manner described and can be quickly and easily disassembled and taken down for erection and reuse in other locations. All rough edges are concealed and the partition may be made into any number of artistic designs.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A partition construction for buildings including, spaced posts extending from the floor to the ceiling of the building, a continuous cornice unit, said posts extending through spaced L openings in said cornice unit, panel sections positioned between said posts and above and below Said cornice unit, and removable post caps above and below said cornice unit extending between the panel sections and concealing the post therebetween.

2. A partition construction for buildings including, spaced posts extending from the oor to the ceiling of the building, means for securing the upper end of said posts to the ceiling, means for securing the lower end of said posts to the iloor, panel units positioned between said posts, and removable clips secured to the outside face of said posts for retaining said panel units in position therebetween.

3. A partition vconstruction for building interiors including, posts extending from the floor to the ceiling of the building, sectional units extending between said posts, said units comprising channel shaped uprights, panels extending between the uprights, and spaced clips mounted on the outside face of said posts and engaging said uprights for removably retaining the sectional units in assembled position between said posts.

4. A partition construction of the character described including, a continuous cornice unit, posts extending through spaced openings in said cornice unit, sectional units lling the space between said posts and cornice unit, and removable lli) post caps above and below said cornice unit extending between the panel sections and concealing the post therebetween.

5.*A partition construction of the character described including, a cornice unit, posts extending through spaced openings in said cornice unit, means for securing said posts to the floor, sectional units extending between said posts and positioned above and below said cornice unit, and removable post caps positioned on each side or" said post above and below said cornice unit.

6. A partition construction for building interiors including, posts extending from thefloor to the ceiling of the building, means for securing said posts to the noor, means for securing said posts to the ceiling, sectional units extending between said posts, each of said sectional units having channel shaped uprights along the vertical edges thereof, spaced clips carried by each of said posts and engaging said uprights to retain the sectional units in assembled position between the posts, and pilaster caps removably secured to the sides of each post completely concealing the same from exterior view.

'7. A partition construction for building interiors including, a continuous cornice unit, posts extending through spaced openings in said cornice unit, means for securing said post to the floor, means for securing said post to the ceiling, sectional units extending between said posts and positioned above and below said cornice unit, and spaced clips on each side of said post for retaining said sectional units in position between said posts.

8. A partition construction of the character described including, a cornice unit, a channel shaped post extending through an opening in said cornice unit, means for securing said cornice unit to said post, sectional units positioned on each side of said post and below said cornice unit, sectional units positioned on each side of said post, resting on and extending above said cornice unit, and meanson said post for removably securing both upper and lower sectional units in assembled position.

9. A partition construction for building interiors comprising, a reinforcing post, means for securing said post to the licor, means for secur- :ing said post to the ceiling, a sectional unit abutting said post, said sectional unit having a channel shaped upright seated against the side of said post, and means comprising a clamping device Shaving paired hook portions engaging said uptright and operative from within said post for securing the sectional unit to said post.

10. A partition construction of the character described comprising, a reinforcing post, a pair `of sectional units, said sectional units each having a channel shaped upright positioned to abut a side face of said post, clamping means having paired hook portions extending through openings in said post and engaging said uprights, and adjustable means within said post for drawing said uprights and sectional units rmly to said post.

l1. A partition construction of the character described comprising, a one piece reinforcing post, a pair of sectional units, said sectional units each having a channel shaped upright positioned to abut a side face of said post, a clamping device extending through aligned openings in the side walls of said post and engaging the uprights of said sectional units, adjustable means for drawing said uprights and sectional units firmly to said post, and post caps covering the space between said uprights and completely concealing the post therebetween.

l2. A partition construction of the character described including, a cornice unit, one piece reinforcing posts extending through spaced openings in said cornice unit, sectional units positioned between said posts, said sectional units each having a channel shaped upright along the vertical edge tliereoil positioned to abut a side face of an adjacent post, clamping means extending through openings in each of said posts and engaging the uprights of adjacent sectional units, adjustable means for drawing said uprights and sectional units firmly to each post, and post caps 'f covering the space between said uprights and completely concealing the posts therebetween.

13. A partition construction for building 1nteriors including, a continuous cornice unit, reinforcing posts extending through spaced openings in said cornice unit to form a lateral thrust resisting framework, means for securing said posts to the floor, means for securing said posts to the ceiling, said cornice unit comprising an outer trim member, a reinforcing channel having the iianges thereof extending downwardly seating within said trim member, and brace members extending between and secured to said reiniorcing channel and said trim member.

14. A partition construction for interior buildings including, a framework resistant to lateral thrusts, said framework comprising a cornice unit, reinforcing posts extending through spaced openings in said cornice unit, means for securing said posts to the floor, means for securing said posts to the ceiling, and sectional units positioned between said posts and above and below said cornice unit, and removable post caps positioned on both sides of said posts above and below said cornice unit ext-ending between said sectional units and completely concealing said posts.

ELMER EDWARD KOEN IG. GEORGE MCKIM MILLS. 

